GoodSeed Ministry Updates

This last year serving with GoodSeed has been very busy, but rewarding. We feel blessed by the many opportunities we’ve had to be involved in such an effective ministry. At present, Gary is doing double duty as he juggles the demands of keeping all the books, and helping oversee the 6,000 sq. foot building project to develop new office space, including filming and recording studios, to meet the needs of GoodSeed’s expanding ministry. It has been exciting to see the growth, but I’m sure everyone will be glad to have the new offices finished and to trade in their hammers and hardhats. Gary has also been leading a family integrated Bible study in our home, as well as giving input into other areas of ministry for GoodSeed, so his schedule is very full.  
Our family has been able to take part in the development of several new ministry tools for GoodSeed as well. One of our newest products is “What are Christmas and Easter All About.” This is an 80 page, full color booklet, priced for mass distribution and outreach within communities. It is also written in EasyEnglish format to make it more effective in international settings with those for which English is not their first language. Beth was involved in the EasyEnglish translation, but don’t let the name fool you. The process is anything but “easy”, as it restricts you to a very limited vocabulary and regimented grammar and sentence structure. This booklet has been well received and is already on its second printing.
Beth and the girls have also been busy making prop kits for each of our international offices to use in their seminar presentations. These kits are very involved and require a lot of detailed cutting of plastic sign board using a utility knife. This is a pain staking process, with an emphasis on the “pain”, so if at some point you meet one of us and we are incapable of lifting our right arms to shake your hand, you’ll know why! These kits get a fair amount of use and are great tools for presenting a chronological foundation in Scripture, so the sore arm muscles and numb fingers are worth it.
At our recent GoodSeed Bible Camp, a retreat for staff families, we had a chance to interact once again with some of the staff from Quebec and the U.S. Though our overseas workers were not able to make it, we heard of the many requests to get GoodSeed resources translated and available for worldwide ministry. It is exciting to hear of the numerous new translation projects which are in process, and to hear the stories of people coming to the Lord as they gain a clear understanding of Scripture.

Building Progress

Many hands make light work.

Family News
     We were able to get away with extended family this summer for a week of camping in Cypress Hills. After so many years of being on the road and camping while doing children’s ministry, it is nice to still be able to find new campgrounds in Alberta we have not visited. We enjoyed the chance to get in some hiking and kayaking as well.
The girls are back into drama this year, as Jessica has adapted a Lamplighter story into script for the homeschool theater group. Tina will be acting in the play and helping Jessica co-direct, and Tamara is stage and prop manager. They have gotten off to a good start, and are excited about the message of their play, entitled “Rosa of Linden Castle.” I think they love any excuse to sew Medieval costumes and dress up.
Besides working at the greenhouse, Jyl will once again be looking after the organization and registrations for AHEA, as our family will again be presenting the children’s program for the homeschool conference. She and Gary are putting together the lessons for this year’s theme—The Letter. The lessons will focus on how we know we can trust the Bible and the importance and authority of God’s Word. Jyl is also developing some skits to coincide with each lesson.
Tina and Tamara are participating in Bible Quizzing again this year and are currently memorizing the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians. We now have two quiz teams, which makes for more enjoyable dynamics for our weekly practices. We have been involved in one regional meet and one provincial meet so far this fall, and our teams have done well. It is exciting to watch the intense competition and amazing to see how well these youth learn Scripture! The girls also had a lot of fun putting together a promotional video for quizzing this year, based on the premise that the Word of God is our sword in spiritual battles. The video was called “Sharpen Your Swords” and they did a great job with it. They are indeed “sharpening their swords” as they memorize huge portions of God’s Word.
(Check out “Sharpen Your Swords!” on YouTube - click the title for link)

This fall we were excited to be able to attend the National Homeschool Leadership Convention in Saskatoon. We enjoyed the time interacting with other homeschool families from across Canada, and the biblical challenge from the main speakers. We also had a chance to do a little sight-seeing while there.
Beth’s novel, Bringing Them Home, is finally headed to publication after many delays with the publishing company. This is a fictional story which presents homeschooling, and the need for Christian parents to spiritually mentor their children. She is hoping that it will be in print soon, and that it will be an encouragement to many families.
As we head into the Christmas season, we have much to be thankful for. Of course it is a time to reflect on God’s love and grace extended to us in the gift of His Son. We also want to thank Him for another year in which He has faithfully provided for our needs. Many of you have shared in that through your prayers and support, and for you we are deeply thankful. Our family could not be involved in full-time ministry were it not for you. As you gather with friends and family this Christmas season, we wish you all God’s blessing!

Jessica and Jyl were blessed with the gift of a “new” car this fall.
Guess which one it is!

Merry Christmas

From The Wiens Family

OUR LINKS

- gbwiens@shaw.ca - goodseed.com - oneinsixty.com - garywiens@goodseed.com - gbwnews.ca -

May you too wonder at the BIG PICTURE this CHRISTmas!